By Michael Wyrwich from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2018-02-14.

Abstract

Female labour force participation (FLFP) increased significantly in the 20th century. Nevertheless, there are persisting spatial differences in FLFP. Using data from Germany, this paper demonstrates that regional differences in the degree of industrialization in the 1920s explain spatial variation in FLFP at that time and almost 100 years later. The latter finding is not explained by persisting industry structures. Additionally, there is evidence that regions with historically high FLFP have a higher social acceptance of working women. Together these results suggest that policies to increase FLFP should account for the historical context of each region.

By Richard Shearmur, David Doloreux from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2018-01-31.

Abstract

The role of knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) in innovation processes is often understood as that of knowledge intermediaries. Yet KIBS are innovators, and use external services: so what is their nature (or identity) and can it be distinguished from the roles they play? We conceptualize how KIBS can be understood simultaneously as innovators and intermediaries. We survey 407 KIBS innovators, and ask: what characterizes KIBS innovators that use KIBS intermediation? What factors are connected with different aspects of this relationship? Is the relationship conditioned by geographic context? The relationship varies with type of innovation introduced and with user characteristics, but not with geographic context.

By Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy, Arthur Grimes, Mark Holmes from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2018-01-24.

Abstract

We examine whether a single (dynamic) housing market exists across 16 cities within Australia and New Zealand. The two countries are closely integrated but cities are up to 5,000 kilometres apart. A single housing market exhibits a common set of forces determining the long run real house price path in all cities. A strong (weak) form occurs when an innovation affects house prices across all cities to an equal (unequal) degree. The 16 cities comprise a weak form single housing market with significant spatial and dynamic complexities. Three city groups emerge with a natural interpretation in terms of economic and spatial characteristics.

Abstract

Using a panel of 265 regions from 24 OECD countries from 1997 to 2007, we explore the impact of nation-wide macroeconomic and structural policies on the productivity growth of subnational regions. We find that average relationships between nation-wide policies and regional productivity growth can hide strong differentiated effects according to the distance to the frontier: relaxing employment protection legislation on temporary contracts, lowering barriers to trade and investment and increasing trade openness enhances productivity growth in lagging regions, whereas reducing barriers to entrepreneurship or higher levels of government debt has a positive effect on regions closer to the productivity frontier.

By Bianka Dettmer, Thomas Sauer from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2018-01-09.

Abstract

Regional governments’ discretion in allocating structural funds is limited by the competences of the European Commission to control fiscal activities of decentralized governments. Regional political behaviour and the complexity of the implementation process shape the policy outcome. Who benefits from structural funds? In this paper, we analyse implementation of ERDF funds in East Germany in the financial perspective 2007 to 2013. We find that less rural regions and some economic sectors benefit by more than others. A few beneficiaries control the highest share of the funds. The Gini coefficients vary by group of actor and show high inequality in the distribution of the funds. This indicates that a few actors have better access to the funds than others.

By John Bachtler, Iain Begg from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2018-01-04.

Abstract

Regional development is one of the main EU spending priorities through its Cohesion Policy. Brexit is among several influences on the future of the policy, whose evolution is part of a wider reshaping of the principles and practice of regional policy in Europe. In the context of emerging policy challenges and recent contributions to the regional policy literature, the article highlights innovation, human capital and effective institutions as three crucial dimensions of future policy. It argues that a shift in regional policy priorities, governance and territorial focus is underway – partly influenced by place-based policy thinking - at EU level under Cohesion Policy as well as under national regional policies in the EU27 and the UK.

Abstract

This paper offers a cautionary tale about the economic cost of European disintegration. Scotland provides an interesting twist on that story as somewhere that voted to remain part of the EU, but is now likely to be negatively affected, even though it is less directly exposed to EU trade than the UK. This occurs even if it were to achieve the softer Brexit with continued single market membership to which it aspires. The analysis includes potentially important lessons for the many nations and regions in which there exists pressures to move away from trade liberalization and towards protectionism.

By Riccardo Crescenzi, Marco Di Cataldo, Alessandra Faggian from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-27.

Abstract

This paper looks at the results of the referendum on the United Kingdom membership to the European Union in order to test the link between the internationalization of the local economy and the openness of the local society as factors associated with the Leave vote (Brexit). The paper compares a number of alternative explanations put forward in the public debate after the referendum. The empirical analysis suggests that the outcome of the referendum can be linked to an increasing tension between the ever increasing internationalization of local firms and the ‘localistic’ attitude of their employees. Brexit can be seen as the result of a process of ‘split Europeanization’ whereby Euroscepticism is triggered by the increasing mismatch between internationalized economies (and corporate economic interests) and localistic societies (and workers’ attitudes and cultural preferences).

By Roberta Capello, Andrea Caragliu, Ugo Fratesi from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-22.

Abstract

The paper measures regional GDP growth losses that a smaller market size caused by the reintroduction of legal and administrative barriers would cause. We model augmented barriers in a Keynesian framework, pointing at four effects: a border effect, stronger for regions close to borders; an exposure effect, stronger for regions open to trade; a centrality effect, affecting areas close to the economic core; a demand concentration effect, stronger for regions close to large trading partners. By estimating border effects with data on EU NUTS 3 regions and simulating a general increase in barriers among EU countries, the four regional effects clearly emerge.

Abstract

Leaving the EU will reshape the UK's economic relations with the rest of the world. This paper summarizes the findings of recent research studying the UK's role in the global economy, and the consequences of Brexit for UK trade, investment, and living standards. We emphasize that international integration affects investment and labour flows as well as trade in goods and services. There are important interdependencies between different forms of integration that should be accounted for when evaluating policy changes. Brexit is likely to make the UK poorer by reducing trade and investment flows, but the magnitude of the economic decline will depend upon the nature of the UK's post-Brexit economic relations with the EU and the rest of the world. We conclude by considering options for UK-EU relations after Brexit and how the UK should approach future trade negotiations.

By Elisabeth Gruber, Daniel Rauhut, Alois Humer from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-22.

Abstract

Austria and Sweden were both relatively unaffected by the economic crisis, challenges of the provision of welfare still exist, at least in peripheries. Economic downturn and outmigration have limited demands and increased the costs for services of general interest. This paper aims to discuss welfare policy and planning strategies for peripheries from a planning cultural sensitive perspective. It will answer how much the value of territorial cohesion is under pressure for peripheries in traditional welfare states, identifying a mismatch between policy levels. The results indicate a stepwise mainstreaming of competitiveness goals in favour of urban regions, leaving the challenges of peripheries to policy responses of single municipalities.

By Yingcheng Li, Weiting Xiong from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-22.

Abstract

Drawing upon a panel dataset on China's state-owned construction land supply at the prefecture level, this paper adopts the spatial panel data model to investigate the existence of spatial dependence in the mechanisms behind China's urban land expansion from 2004 to 2014. The empirical results show that China's urban land expansion has been mainly influenced by a quadruple process of urbanization, industrialization, globalization and decentralization. The strong existence of spatial dependence in China's urban land expansion can be reflected by the significant coefficient estimates of the spatial lags of both the dependent variable and independent variables.

By Chiara Bocci, Claudia Ferretti, Patrizia Lattarulo from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-20.

Abstract

This paper aims to estimate, through the use of a spatial model, the determinants of fiscal policies on property tax adopted by Italian municipalities in 2014, to assess the existence of strategic interactions influencing their revenue decisions and, finally, to investigate the possible sources of such tax mimicking. The analysis evaluates the impact of political and socio-economic variables on the local policy decisions and confirms that the choices on property tax are influenced by the neighbouring municipalities’ behaviour. With regard to the tax mimicking sources, results highlight that the imitative behaviour among municipalities on their tax policy is determined mainly from spillover effects, with a decreasing effect in relation to municipal size.

By Li Gao, Abdoul G. Sam from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-19.

Abstract

This study focuses on the role of local climate conditions in spurring interregional migration in China over the period 2000 to 2010. We developed a robust empirical approach based on a correlated random effects model and a prefecture-level panel dataset which allows us to account for both within province migration flows and prefecture-specific characteristics. Empirical results reveal that climate conditions are important determinants of migration in China. Specifically, prefectures with warmer winter, cooler summer, and more available sunshine are more attractive to migrants. Economic factors such as income level and employment opportunities are also important drivers of population growth.

By Jesús Peiró-Palomino from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-19.

Abstract

This paper assesses the role of the associational activity dimension of social capital in regional innovation for 257 EU 28 regions in the pre-crisis (2000–2007) and the crisis (2008–2012) period. The analysis is carried out using flexible non-parametric kernel regressions, which allow for exploring heterogeneity across space and over time. The results show that effects widely differ across regions, but no differences are found between periods. In particular, the largest effects are found for less developed and transition regions from the periphery. In contrast, for most of the developed regions in the core of Europe the impact is non-significant. These results might be useful for policy design in the H2020 framework.

By Cecilia Vives from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-18.

Abstract

This paper studies how the size of the labour market affects workers' decisions to invest in human capital. We consider a model of mismatch where firms rank workers according to their level of skills. The matching process operating in the market has the property that the job finding probability of workers depends on market size, market tightness and their ranking. The model is consistent with several facts highlighted in empirical studies: in bigger markets the distribution of human capital is more unequal and the returns to skill are higher.

By Markus Grillitsch, Magnus Nilsson from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-15.

Abstract

Knowledge externalities affect high and low growth firms differently. This paper develops two theoretical arguments. The knowledge equilibrium argument postulates that knowledge externalities weaken high growth firms for the benefit of low growth firms until performance differences vanish. The knowledge competition argument proposes that high growth firms are better positioned to identify, attract, and integrate knowledge, thereby expanding the performance gap between high and low growth firms. Based on 188,936 observations of 32,736 Swedish firms from 2004 to 2011, it is analysed whether knowledge externalities enable high growth firms to surge ahead or low growth firms to catch up.

By Steven Brakman, Harry Garretsen, Tristan Kohl from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-12.

Abstract

The United Kingdom has opted to leave the European Union. The consequences of Brexit on international trade are large and negative. While the UK aims for new, ambitious trade agreements after Brexit, it is not explicit about the type of agreements it envisions or with whom specifically. This paper considers the UK's options. We confirm Brexit's substantial, negative trade effects for the UK, EU, and major countries around the world. After reviewing all potential options, our answer to the question whether the UK has an alternative for the existing agreement with the EU is: No. Paradoxically, only a trade agreement with the EU can compensate for Brexit's trade losses.

Abstract

In this paper we employ an extension of the World Input-Output Database (WIOD) with regional detail for EU countries to study the degree to which EU regions and countries are exposed to negative trade-related consequences of Brexit. We develop an index of this exposure, which incorporates all effects due to geographically fragmented production processes within the UK, the EU and beyond. Our findings demonstrate that UK regions are far more exposed than regions in other countries. Only regions in the Republic of Ireland face exposure levels similar to some UK regions, while the next most affected regions are in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and France. This imbalance may influence the outcomes of the negotiations between the UK and the EU.

By John A. Dove from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-12-06.

Abstract

The economic effects of tax and expenditure limits (TELs) have been often studied in the literature. However, little research has addressed how TELs might influence the propensity for a jurisdiction to default on its obligations. This study specifically fills that void. Overall, the results indicate that while the likelihood of default increases as TELs become more restrictive, the magnitude is not particularly large. Once decomposed, it would appear that property tax limits increase the likelihood, while expenditure limits have the opposite effect, though the latter result is insignificant. The findings are robust to a number of specifications and provide potential policy implications.

By Nathan Kettlewell, Oleg Yerokhin from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-11-29.

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of the zone tax offset (ZTO), a place based income subsidy implemented in rural Australia since 1945. The policy was intended to improve the welfare of inhabitants and provide an incentive for settlement. Our empirical approach exploits the geographical discontinuity in the eligibility for the subsidy to identify its causal effect on population growth. Using data on population by locality from the historical censuses we find that the ZTO had a positive but only temporary effect on population growth in the targeted areas.

By John S.L. McCombie, Marta R.M. Spreafico from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-11-22.

Abstract

This paper discusses the implications of Brexit for both the UK and its regions, as the latter depends on the former. We concentrate on the forecasts by Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT), the Cambridge Centre for Business Research and the Economists for Brexit. It is argued that the estimates of HMT of the loss of GDP are likely to be overstated, but, nevertheless, there will probably be a fall in output. Given this, the effect on the UK regions is analysed using the regional balance-of-payments constrained growth model. This suggests that Brexit will cause regional disparities to widen.

By Eva Coll-Martínez, Ana-Isabel Moreno-Monroy, Josep-Maria Arauzo-Carod from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-11-07.

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the intensity and extent of agglomeration and co-agglomeration of creative industries (CIs) in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (MAB). To do so, we use firm-level geo-located data to calculate distance-based M and m functions of agglomeration and co-agglomeration. Our results show that CIs are relatively more agglomerated than non-CIs at short distances, and that each individual CI sector displays high levels of agglomeration (especially symbolic-based sectors). Also, the co-agglomeration of CIs and Non-CIs is only observed for micro-firms and that there is significant co-agglomeration among symbolic-based CI sectors. Finally, we confirm the role of the city-centre of Barcelona as a magnet for CIs.

By Martin Korpi, William A.V. Clark from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-11-06.

Abstract

Using matched employer-employee full population data on regional migrants in Sweden, this paper addresses the question whether the urban wage premium, and ‘thick’ labour market matching effects, are to be found across all educational groups, and whether the population threshold for these types of effects varies by educational category. Estimating initial wages, average wage level and wage growth 2001-2009, we find similar wage premiums for all workers in the three largest metropolitan areas, but that there are distinct population thresholds for these type of effects, regardless of educational background. However, job search behaviour as explaining dynamic effects over time seems to pertain mostly to those with higher education.

Abstract

In the literature on regional innovation systems, one strand of study has identified a number of gaps that limit the efficiency and effectiveness of regional innovation systems, including so-called ‘managerial gaps’, ‘structural holes’, ‘innovation gaps’, and ‘valleys of death’. Our project aims to demonstrate how social capital, in a creative tension that balances bonding and bridging elements, may contribute to reducing these specific gaps identified in the regional innovation systems literature. This perspective is analysed within a particular context: the Mondragon Cooperative Group in the Basque Country.

By Alessandra Michelangeli, Nicola Pontarollo, Giuseppe Vittucci Marzetti from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-10-11.

Abstract

This paper aims at assessing the contribution of ethnic minorities to the (total and sectoral) productivity of Italian provinces. We consider the first ten nationalities by numbers of legal immigrants at the provincial level (NUTS 3) 2003–2011. We estimate a spatial panel model to capture both direct and indirect effects of foreign communities on local productivity at the province level, accounting for spatial spillovers. Our findings show that two communities out of the ten considered have a direct positive impact on aggregate labour productivity. Other foreign groups have significant indirect effects: these groups do not affect productivity of provinces where they live, but mainly of the neighbouring provinces, likely because of commuting.

By Yicheol Han, Stephan J. Goetz from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-10-11.

Abstract

Many urban areas around the world have expanded from monocentric to polycentric regions forming larger hierarchical structures. These regions represent functional regions or labour market areas (LMAs) that are classified as groups of counties representing mutually exclusive, non-overlapping geographies. In practice, however, a county may belong to multiple overlapping LMAs. To model this overlapping across urban hierarchies, we extend the link community method from network theory and apply it to US commuting data. Our proposed approach reliably identifies the LMAs that we would expect to find as well as core and periphery areas within them.

By Xavier Albacete from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-10-06.

Abstract

The current paper analysis the differences in accessibility categories at the household level and by lifecycle changes by using the Structural Accessibility Layer. Results are evaluated from spatial, numerical and qualitative perspectives. Main findings show differences in residential preference by a single-person household, couple without children and households with children for different potential accessibility categories. This paper provides evidence that external factors influence the population to move from public transport into car-based mobility. Finally, we observe areas categorized as suitable for both walking and public transport mobility presenting low population density and residential development of those areas is suggested.

By Branislav Bleha, Pavol Ďurček from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-10-03.

Abstract

The transformation of fertility and family behaviour in post-socialist countries was quick and the changes were striking. An account of the changes is the subject of dispute and the mechanisms have still not been explained in a fully satisfying manner. Relatively little attention has been paid to the changes in spatial aspects concerning the broadening of changes in family behaviour. The aim of this paper is to answer the question as to whether changes spread stochastically in post-socialist countries or if there are obvious spatial patterns. The study tries to answer the questions whether there are any cores of changes which may be understood as innovations, if there is any spatial clustering and if the extent is hierarchically arranged.

By Mohamed Goaied, Seifallah Sassi from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-10-03.

Abstract

This paper assesses the information and communications technologies (ICT)-labour relationship from a macroeconomic perspective to clarify some ambiguity regarding the overall employment effect of ICT adoption in the short and long term. For that, we use two panel data techniques, generalized method of moments (GMM) and the pooled mean group model (PMG), on a large sample of developing and developed countries, covering five regions, during the period from 1990–2015. Our findings provide evidence that the overall impact of ICT adoption is labour saving in the short term, and this adverse effect still carries on in the long run, inducing higher structural unemployment. The displacement of the labour market induced by ICT adoption is real, persistent, and universal. Policy-makers should facilitate the transition of labour from old to new jobs and reduce the period of adaptability.

By Sam Tavassoli, Charlie Karlsson from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-09-29.

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of regional context on innovation persistency of firms. Using the Community Innovation Survey in Sweden, we have traced firms' innovative behaviour from 2002 to 2012, in terms of four Schumpeterian types of innovation: product, process, organizational, and marketing. Controlling for an extensive set of firm-level characteristics, we find that certain regional characteristics matter for innovation persistency of firms. In particular, those firms located in regions with: (i) thicker labour market or (ii) higher extent of knowledge spillover exhibit higher probability of being persistent innovators up to 14 percentage points. Such higher persistency is mostly pronounced for product innovators.

By Iván Boal, Luis César Herrero from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-09-28.

Abstract

The creative economy has become the subject of increasing interest in recent years, both in economic development studies and the analysis of spatial disparities. Various studies have examined the spatial logics of cultural and creative industries, although analyses into the location and agglomeration of artists therein remain few and far between. The present work thus seeks to explore the location and spatial structure of the cultural sector in a Spanish region, focusing specifically on the purest artistic activities and using micro-spatial disaggregation. Spatial econometric techniques are used to identify location patterns, pinpoint territorial activity clusters and to measure agglomeration economies.

By Giuseppe Porro, Valentina Salis from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-09-20.

Abstract

A counterfactual analysis is performed to evaluate the impact on employment of four programmes providing financial incentives to firms in Lombardy (Italy) between 2008 and 2013. While linear estimates suggest that the programmes have positive effects on short-run employment growth when incentives are sufficiently high, a non-parametric analysis shows that the policy is, on the whole, ineffective and that the results in linear models are due to small groups of outliers, which received very high subsidies. Data allow for a short run analysis only, but the results cast some doubts on the policy effectiveness also in a medium-long run perspective.

By Josep Maria Raya from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-09-12.

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the determinants of foreclosures in Spain, a country that not only has the highest foreclosure rate in Europe, but in which foreclosures have also become a major social and political issue. Using a unique dataset, we obtained the determinants of both the foreclosure-to-population ratio and the probability that a home would end in foreclosure. Evidence that deteriorating loan quality and short-term liquidity constraints are the main drivers of foreclosures was obtained. Through urban inequality, foreclosures have exacerbated segregation and divergence among neighbourhoods.

By Etienne Polge, André Torre from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-08-30.

Abstract

Using social network and proximity-based approaches, this paper analyses the effect of two territorial governance arrangements implemented in the Amazonian region in the framework of ‘The Territories of Citizenship’ programme, which aims to promote interaction and collaboration between the various actors of rural development. In the Amazon region, the great distances between actors made their interactions difficult. Our study reveals, however, that those distances are not insurmountable obstacles to collaboration. Indeed, the measures implemented in the framework of territorial policies promote communication between the different actors of the territories, thus allowing for the development and reinforcement of organized proximity.

By Katsuyoshi Nakazawa from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-08-29.

Abstract

This study confirms free-rider behaviour of pre-merger municipalities in the case of voluntary amalgamation. The novel contribution of this study is dividing pre-merger municipalities into two groups: those that had the chance to free ride when setting the long-term care insurance premium and those that did not. Moreover, it focuses on the revision of the long-term care insurance premium as the target of free-rider behaviour. Therefore, the present study is able to capture free-rider behaviour before the amalgamation. The regression results confirm that only pre-merger municipalities that had the chance to free ride showed free-rider behaviour.

By Alessia Mangialardo, Ezio Micelli from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-08-29.

Abstract

Enhancing public real-estate assets has been at the centre of a lively debate in Italy. Public policies have focused on the supply-side, assuming that private demand was ready to develop assets. Yet with the decline in the real-estate market, conditions have greatly changed. Italian authorities begun to experiment new approaches to enhance public assets by supporting the grass-roots participation. The aim of this research is to determine the conditions that can predict the successful outcome of bottom-up value creation dynamics in public real-estate properties. Through a multivariate statistical analysis, the study proposes an interpretation of the elements that determine the successful outcome of bottom-up processes.

Abstract

We use daily hotel occupancy, price, and revenue data to analyse the economic impact of the 2008 and 2012 Democratic and Republican national conventions. We find that political conventions generate approximately 29,000 room nights of lodging, though this figure is partially offset by lower hotel occupancy during the week before and, to a lesser extent, after conventions. Conventions increase hotel revenue by approximately $20 million on average, a figure which suggests that host cities’ claims of economic impacts of $150 million or more may be implausible.

By Kosuke Oshima from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-08-08.

We investigate a differentiated mixed duopoly with two cities where a public firm and a private firm are located in different cities. We find that in most cases the privatization level is higher under centralization (the national or regional government owns the public firm) than under decentralization (a city government owns the public firm). In particular, under decentralization, the public firm is fully owned by the city government if the substitutability of differentiated goods is relatively high. While the social welfare is higher under centralization, the welfare of the city with the public firm is higher under decentralization in most cases.

By Henry Aray from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-07-19.

This article casts new evidence on the effects of decentralization on economic growth. Based on the literature on the effects of institutions on the economy, such effects are assumed to accrue through total factor productivity (TFP). Five variables to capture decentralization are proposed in order to overcome the recent criticisms of the empirical approaches regarding the proper measures of variables capturing decentralization. Panel data for the regions of Spain over the 1986–2010 period are used. In general, the results show that the financial autonomy and the share of regional investment in public infrastructure seem to positively affect the economic growth of Spanish regions. However, a negative effect is found for a proxy for the number of responsibilities transferred to the regions. Moreover, empirical evidence provided for three sub-sample periods could be suggesting that the Spanish state might be around the optimal level of decentralization. Results are fairly robust to different estimation methods and measures of TFP, regardless of the assumption of constant returns to scale.

By Dagmara Nikulin, Aneta Sobiechowska-Ziegert from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-07-17.

Abstract

In our paper we try to combine the theories explaining the prevalence of informal work, using a regional approach. Reviewing the literature, we observe that, there is no evidence to confirm that the relationships that occur in cross-country comparisons remain significant when we use regional data and analyse cross-regional variations. Our general question is therefore whether there is simply more informal work in less-developed regions, as the modernization theory asserts. Our analysis concludes that there is limited correlation between the prevalence of informal work and a region's level of development, whereas there is a significant positive autocorrelation between the extent of informal work in the analysed voivodships in Poland.

By Haitao Yu, Hao Pang, Ming Zhang from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-07-07.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the Austin MetroRail on commercial property values. Spatial Durbin models (SDM) suggest a modest price premium associated with rail transit across the study area. A premium gradient is also presented at different distance tiers from stations. When it comes to transit-oriented development (TOD), a synergistic effect in enlarging the premium is found: with additional $9.0/ft2, $8.6/ft2 and $5.3/ft2 at 0.25 mi, 0.25–0.5 mi and 0.5–0.75 mi, respectively. Furthermore, geographically weighted regression shows the premium is significantly higher in central business district (CBD) and TOD areas. Such recognition of the heterogeneous price effect is of use in the design of project financing and TOD strategies.

By Luca Gandullia, Lucia Leporatti from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-06-19.

Abstract

In recent years, the Italian gambling market has exploded, leading Italy to become the largest European gambling market and the fourth largest worldwide but the literature on the topic is still limited. This study analyses gambling demand across Italian regions in order to detect how the socio-economic status of a region impacts the demand for different games. The results reveal that the consumption of each game is unevenly distributed across the northern and southern regions and that gambling products are generally regressive at a regional level; inconsistences emerged between central and sub-national competences in the organization of the market.

By Nicola Francesco Dotti, André Spithoven from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-06-15.

Abstract

While R&D activities are known for being unevenly distributed across space, how EU policy contributed to their regional dynamics is less explored. Since the 1980s, the EU Framework Programmes (FP) have promoted and supported transnational R&D projects through open and highly competitive calls for funding driven by ‘scientific excellence’ regardless of location. This paper aims to show the drivers of this spatial distribution and evolution of FP participations, arguing that this depends on cumulative effects of regional economic development and growth, while scientific specialization rarely is the best strategy to improve regional competitiveness in terms of FP participations.

By Jacint Balaguer, Jordi Ripollés from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-06-07.

Abstract

Literature provides significant border effects on consumer prices even for sub-national regions. Nevertheless, Gorodnichenko and Tesar showed that the evidence from the usual methodology could be illusory if there is cross-regional heterogeneity in the distribution of within-region price differentials. We designed a quasi-experiment that, using a transport fuel dataset, is applied to the Spanish regions. We found that, despite controlling for regional tax divergences, price differences remained critically dependent on regions. However, results suggest that the presence of borders per se is practically negligible to explain the lack of regional integration. Factors underlying the distribution heterogeneity are responsible for this.

By Giuseppe Ricciardo Lamonica, Francesco Maria Chelli from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-06-02.

Abstract

This study is a contribution to the ongoing debate on the performance of various non-survey techniques for constructing sub-territorial input-output tables. Three aspects of the behaviour of the methods are analysed: performances in reproducing ‘true’ input coefficients, variability of error, and direction of bias. The analysis uses real data and in particular the world input-output table. The most important aspect that emerges from the analysis is that even though simple location quotient (SLQ) has been identified as one of the most robust methods, its performance drops when confronted with Input Output Tables characterized by a high percentage of technical coefficients close to zero. Also the cross industry location quotient (CILQ), the semi logarithmic location quotient (RLQ), the symmetric cross industry location quotient (SCILQ) methods behave in a similar way. On the contrary, the performance of the methods the Flegg location quotient (FLQ) for δ = 0.2 and the Augmented Flegg location quotient (AFLQ) for 0.2 ≤ δ ≤ 0.3 are not affected by this situation.

By Paolo Veneri from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-05-30.

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of urban spatial structure and its trends in the OECD between 2001 and 2011, by using a standardized definition of functional urban areas (FUAs) in 29 OECD countries. The prevalent trend is an increasing decentralization of the population, with growth taking place outside existing cores, but close to them. Overall, results are consistent with a pattern of contiguous growth. The population has grown more in relatively low-density locations close to the main centres. Closeness to sub-centres also proves to be a strong advantage for growth and suggests the emergence of new centralities shaping urban spatial structures.

By Dusan Paredes, Juan Soto, David A. Fleming from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-05-30.

Abstract

The fly-in/fly-Out (FIFO) or, drive-in/drive-out (DIDO) labour system is a long-distance commuting work arrangement to attract workers towards remote mineral or fossil fuel extraction areas, where they work in shifts and then return to their usual place of residence located in a different region. Along with more and cheaper transportation alternatives, the use of FIFO/DIDO systems have importantly increased in last decades around the world, which has translated to FIFO/DIDO systems operating even when already established cities are present in extractive regions. This paper uses the case of Chile, one of the most important mining countries in the world, to explore whether and in what extent these labor systems influence wage compensations. We find that FIFO/DIDO commuters obtain an average wage compensation of 2.4 per cent per commuted hour.

By Anna Maria Colavitti, Sergio Serra from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-05-24.

Abstract

In recent years many countries all over the world adopted a variety of preservation tools and market-oriented solutions to contain land consumption. Among these countries Italy slowly began to incorporate the principles of the free market into the urban planning programmes. The United States Transfer of development rights programmes (TDR) represent a reference point for a market-based approach in the field of environmental preservation policies. In this paper we compared the criteria successfully adopted by the US TDR programmes to the specifications adopted by the municipal plans of three important Italian cities (Milan, Rome and Florence) and we discussed their efficacy to control the urban growth.

By Christian Haedo, Michel Mouchart from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-05-23.

This paper proposes an integrated framework for discussing issues related to regional concentration, sectorial specialization and overall localization by considering these concepts as a row-column association– or non-independence– in a two-way contingency table ‘regions × sectors’. This is the approach of stochastic independence, in which the degree of concentration, or of specialization, is measured by discrepancies among distributions: between profiles and a uniform distribution for absolute concepts; between profiles and the corresponding marginal distribution for relative concepts; or between the joint distribution and the product of the marginal distributions for overall localization. This paper discusses the benefits of this integrating approach, particularly for the practitioner facing a multifaceted literature.

By Marie-Laure Cabon-Dhersin, Emmanuelle Taugourdeau from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-05-05.

This paper investigates the organization and the distribution of research activities between nearby public and private laboratories. In a three-stage game, the ‘size’, ‘locationprime and ‘research effortprime are determined under the assumption that public spillovers depend on the location of the private laboratory. We compare two scenarios in which the research efforts are decided either cooperatively or non-cooperatively. We show that for particular levels of subsidy granted to the public lab, higher funding favours spatial proximity and increases the total research effort in the cooperative case, while it diminishes the total effort in the non-cooperative one. Moreover, compared with the non-cooperative case, research cooperation: (i) may increase the distance between the two laboratories; (ii) makes the public laboratory smaller; (iii) increases the total research effort; but (iv) is detrimental to the payoff of the whole research sector.

By Hiroshi Kanasugi, Koichi Ushijima from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-04-28.

Abstract

By using the case of the high-speed railway scheduled to open in 2027 in Japan, this study examines whether the value of transport innovation is capitalized in land prices immediately after the construction plan is announced. We adopt a hedonic approach to measure value, using balanced panel data on residential land prices from 2008 to 2015 in Japan. We find that residential land prices where the time distance to the Tokyo metropolitan area reduces rose, except where the population is decreasing. This result implies that the benefits are capitalized in land prices when demand to shorten the time distance exists.

Abstract

The present research work shows the results obtained in an analysis of the existing literature about one of the ‘topics’ which arouses more interest among economists, geographers, theorists of business organization and strategic management or the actual officials in charge of territory arrangement and planning: that of clusters or industrial firm or groupings. More precisely, a total of 1,344 research papers published in different journals in the areas of economy, management, business, planning and development, urban studies and geography during the period 2000 and 2015 were analysed for the purpose of trying to identify and visualize the intellectual structure or knowledge base of the research developed about the aforementioned phenomena. As for the methodology utilized, of a quantitative nature, it is based on the use of bibliometric techniques – in particular, of document co-citation analysis (DCA) – and of social networks analysis.

By Giuseppe Di Vita from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-03-31.

Abstract

In this paper we study the impact of regulatory complexity, a measure of institutional quality, on the GDP, on per capita income and on the growth rate of the Italian regions. For comparative reasons we also use the duration of civil disputes as a further indicator of institutional quality used in the regressions as an alternative to the indicator of regulatory complexity. From the theoretical point of view, we use the approach of negative co-ordination externalities, among the four sources of regulatory production that are at work at the same time. Our approach may be applied in all the countries with a multi-level government system. Using the random effects and quantile regressions models we are able to quantify the effects of an improvement in institutional quality on the GDP and the growth rate, making a comparison between the results obtained using regulatory complexity or the duration of civil disputes as covariates. We also check for spatial dependence among variables. Econometric analysis supports the theoretical assumption that regulatory complexity is an impediment to the growth of regional GDP and per capita income. The main finding of our analysis is that a reduction in regulatory complexity would be more effective than a reduction in the duration of civil disputes in increasing the income and growth rate. This result could be useful for the policy-maker because by reducing regulatory complexity we may obtain a considerable by-product in the shorter duration of civil disputes.

By Niclas Lavesson from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-03-31.

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand how distance to urban centres influences necessity and opportunity-based firm start-ups. The results show that closeness to urban centres is not necessarily beneficial for firm start-ups. On the contrary, regions further away from urban centres of any size experience more firm start-ups. One explanation of this result is that regions experience spatial protection from urban competition. However, regions located further away from larger-sized urban centres experience less firm start-ups due to such remoteness. One explanation of this finding is that remote regions cannot access the agglomeration benefits that larger cities offer. This supports the view that rural regions draw on urban resources but only on those from larger agglomerations.

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the effect of policy induced collaboration between secondary schools and higher education institutes (HEIs) on student flows in the Netherlands in the area of science and technology. We show that the policy intervention was not only effective but compared to other possible policy measures also quite efficient. We further demonstrate that the strength of collaboration between HEIs and secondary schools significantly reduces the negative effect of geographical distance on the number of students migrating from a particular secondary school to an HEI.

By Chloé Duvivier, Mario Polèse from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-02-09.

Abstract

A growing literature highlights the emergence of central techno neighbourhoods; however, does this mean that suburban techno districts are designed to decline? We examine the spatial dynamics (1996–2011) of computer service employment, subset of the new economy, in Canada's three largest metropolises using GIS and econometric techniques. The evidence is largely consistent with a growing weight of central neighbourhoods, especially in Montreal and Vancouver, although in all three cities, suburban techno clusters have continued to grow. The econometric results point to the higher weight of neighbourhood environment variables, including indicators of ‘coolness’, as predictors of computer service employment location.

By Andrea Filippetti, Giovanni Cerulli from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-01-31.

Abstract

Does regional autonomy lead to better local public services? We investigate this issue using measures of public service performance and autonomy at the region level in 171 European regions. We introduce a novel dose-response approach which identifies the pattern of the effect of regional autonomy on the performance of public services. The relationship between the level of regional autonomy and the provision of local public services exhibits a u-shape: both low and high autonomy lead to better local public services. This speaks against the presence of one optimal level of autonomy and policy recommendations based on the view that more decentralisation is always desirable. It shows that different institutional settings can be economically viable and efficient.

By Zengwang Xu from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-01-31.

Abstract

This study constructs the population migration networks among economic areas in the United States for every consecutive year from 1990 to 2011, and examines their structural properties and population migration dynamics. Various aspects of the structural properties of the networks are explored, including the connectivity, clustering, assortativity and centrality. It was found that these structural properties are mediated by migration dynamics and inter-area distance, and the patterns of varying structural properties across areas of different connectivity reveal the hub-and-spoke structure of the networks. It is evident that there exists tremendous complexity in migration connectivity and dynamics in the US internal migration system.

By Francesco Aiello, Graziella Bonanno from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-01-23.

Abstract

Small banks are embedded in narrow markets and hence benefit from proximity to their customers. By referring to multilevel approach, this paper evaluates how much the performance of Italian mutual co-operative banks is determined by geographical and individual characteristics. The effect of local markets explains 28.27 per cent of bank heterogeneity in the empty multilevel model and 33 per cent in the most extended model. Moreover, it is found that efficiency increases with market concentration and demand density but decreases with branching in local markets.

By Matthias Firgo, Peter Mayerhofer from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2017-01-06.

Abstract

Empirical results on the link between growth and diversity in (un)related industries proved to be highly dependent on the specific regional, temporal and econometric context. Using highly disaggregated employment data at the sub-regional level, we find that higher employment growth in Austria is mainly linked to unrelated variety. However, in-depth analyses by sectors and regional regimes illustrate substantial heterogeneity in the results, with services and a large number of relatively small non-urban regions driving the overall results. Thus, our findings argue against structural policy conclusions based on assessments neglecting the specific sectoral and regional context.

By Haifang Huang, Brad R. Humphreys, Li Zhou from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2016-12-30.

We analyse the effect of new casinos on nearby neighbourhoods using data from casinos opened in Canada between 1986−2007. We find no evidence linking casino openings to nearby population growth or changes in residents' income, composition by age, gender, marital status, and home ownership status. We find evidence of negative casino effects on the growth of housing values and rent. The effect is substantial near casinos, a nearly 8 percentage-point loss in the growth of home values over 5 years, but has limited influence and dissipates quickly over distance. The estimated effect on housing rents is comparable in terms of standard deviation.

By Miguel Gómez-Antonio, Stuart Sweeney from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2016-12-28.

Abstract

We use geo-referenced establishment data to estimate parameters of a Gibbs model. The statistical model is used to decompose the conditional intensity of the spatial point process into trend and interaction components. The trend captures covariates related to firms' costs, accessibility to public transport infrastructures, to technical universities and to cultural and recreational facilities. The ability to specify a Geyer interaction component captures the existence of additional spillovers providing a deeper insight into inter-establishment spatial dynamics. The results challenge some of the outcomes of the inter-urban industrial location literature, confirming that spatial aggregation compromises results in studies of business location. Firms' location decisions are dominated by site costs, with transportation costs being much less of a consideration; universities geographical knowledge spillovers are confirmed for large establishments; and amenities are unlikely to be important location factors.

By Wolfgang Dauth, Michaela Fuchs, Anne Otto from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2016-12-16.

This paper analyses the evolution of geographical concentration in German manufacturing and service sectors over a long time period. Drawing on detailed plant data of 187 industries from 1980 to 2010, we corroborate previous studies and observe substantial concentrations in both sectors. However, we also document a secular trend of deconcentration over three decades, even in knowledge-intensive industries. By constructing counterfactual distributions, we show that the underlying mechanisms differ across sectors. Dispersion of manufacturing industries is driven by closing or contracting plants within industrial agglomerations, while dispersion of the service sector is fostered by the creation of new plants.

By Cilem Selin Hazır, James LeSage, Corinne Autant-Bernard from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2016-12-13.

We investigate how R&D networks impact regional innovation, considering alternative connectivity structures based on co-publications, co-inventions and projects supported by the EU-FP. Patent activity impacts on ICT during 2003–2009 for 213 European regions are quantified using a spatial Durbin model. Findings indicate that local knowledge flows to proximate regions are influenced by: proximate regions that are not collaboration partners, proximate collaboration partners, and distant collaboration partners. Evidence on the role of distant collaboration partners is found only for co-invention networks.

By Vittorio Daniele, Paolo Malanima, Nicola Ostuni from Papers in Regional Science.
Published on 2016-12-06.

Abstract

This paper deals with industrialization in Italy between 1871 and 2001, and is based on data on the labour force per province (NUTS 3) from population censuses. Particular attention is devoted to long-term trends and North–South disparities. After the analysis of the geographic spread of industry and its changes, we test the role of access to markets on the distribution of the labour force in manufacturing. The results show that access to markets played a main role in Italian industrialization and in the evolution of inequalities among Northern and Southern regions.